As a historian, I often find myself reflecting on the ongoing debates surrounding vaccines—a topic that has recently sparked intense discussions among my social media connections. Arguments fly back and forth with fervor: “The CDC is a conspiracy to push vaccines!” “Scientific evidence shows vaccines are safe and effective!” “It was better sanitation that eliminated diseases like measles, not vaccines!” “No, that’s not true!” “Vaccines are linked to autism!” “No, they aren’t!” Amidst this whirlwind of opinions, I’ve observed that many of my fellow historians strongly advocate for vaccination, including even those with alternative lifestyles, such as my friend Lisa, who homeschools her children and prefers natural childbirth.
The reasoning behind our stance is encapsulated by my acquaintance, Amanda Lewis, a curator from New Haven, Connecticut. She poignantly stated, “I’ve read the letters and diaries of 18th-century parents who mourned the loss of multiple children to preventable diseases. I know what a world without vaccines looks like, and it’s not one that anyone would want to inhabit.”
For most of us, the reality of a world devoid of vaccines is beyond comprehension. We navigate our lives with a degree of confidence that we will reach a ripe old age, believing that if we don’t, it will likely be due to an unexpected accident rather than a battle with infectious diseases.
Historical Perspectives on Disease and Loss
Historians, however, hold a different viewpoint. Through our exploration of historical documents, especially personal letters, we often encounter poignant reflections such as these:
- “Mr. and Mrs. Brown lost their youngest daughter last week. She was just two years old, a true gem.”
- “Little Emma Thompson passed away from scarlet fever last night. She was their only child!”
- “Funerals are becoming all too common here—sometimes three or four a day. Pneumonia and typhoid fever are rampant, as are scarlet fever and diphtheria.”
- “On Sunday, we laid to rest nine souls, all victims of illness.”
- “Whooping cough is claiming many children this summer.”
These quotes are taken from 19th-century correspondence and merely scratch the surface of the numerous mentions of illness and death that permeate letters from that era. Such references were not uncommon; they reflect a reality where death was a constant specter in people’s lives, casting a long shadow over everyday existence.
Consider for a moment what it would be like if every time your child had a cough, you feared it might be the last illness they would ever face. Imagine loving your children with all your heart but never taking for granted that they would survive to adulthood. Picture a community where families who had not buried children were the exception rather than the norm, and where it was entirely plausible that one in four children would not reach their fifth birthday.
This was the harsh reality of life before vaccines. The very fact that most of us cannot fathom such a world serves as a testament to the effectiveness of vaccination. Helen Thompson, a writer from the 1800s, expressed it well: “Health is more valuable than wealth.” As both a historian and a mother, I wholeheartedly agree. Those who are hesitant about vaccines today are oblivious to the desperate wishes of our ancestors, who would have given anything to protect their children from the diseases that vaccines can prevent.
Further Reading
For further insights on parenting and health, check out this article where they delve into similar topics. If you’re interested in pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is excellent. And don’t forget to explore the at-home insemination kit to learn about your options.
Summary
This article emphasizes the importance of vaccines from a historical perspective, highlighting the tragic consequences of preventable diseases in the past. Historians, through their research, illustrate the profound loss families experienced before vaccines became available, making a strong case for their continued use in modern society.